The news is just in the tree, an Eucalyptus regnans or mountain ash as it is commonly called, is named Black Beard. Brett Misfud reports that it has a volume of 248m3 and is located in the Toolangi State Reserve outside of Melbourne, Victoria. As fate would have it I was in the tree the day it was being measured last month. There are still people out there searching for other big trees.
Tom Greenwood above with the help of Grant Harris is doing trunk diameter measurements at intervals along the length of Black Beard.
Looking down at Brett who is measuring the base of Black Beard
Grant Harris exploring the beautiful environment of massive limbs 20 meters below the canopy of the Black Beard tree.
Brett who made the discovery of Black Beard is seen here at the trees massive base. He is clipped to a static 8mm fixed rope and is about to make the climb into the canopy to begin the measuring.
Just finished reading the excellent book - 'If trees could talk'. I live near Warrendyte, Melbourne. I would love to have a chat with Brett, as I too have been fascinated for many years by our giant tree - Regnans. I originally grew up in Drouin, which wasn't far from the Thorpdale Tree, or shpould I say where it was.
Posted by: Stephen Gleeson | April 27, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Darren I'll have to get that book. I've sent your contact info onto Brett. I am sure he'll be psyched to meet a fellow big tree enthusiast.
Posted by: Bill | April 27, 2011 at 03:21 PM